Hat-size reducer



H. D. CURTIS,

HAT SIZE REDUCER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24, ms.

1,35 1 ,893, Patented Sept. 7, 1920.

HARRY D. CURTIS, 0F RED BANK, NET/V JERSEY.

HAT-SIZE REDUCEE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. '7, 1920.

Application filed September 24, 1919. Serial No. 325,850.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY D. CUn'rIs, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Red Bank, county of Monmouth, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hat-Size Reducers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in size-reducing or fitting bands for hats.

The invention has for its objects the provision of a flexible, yieldable cushioning and size-reducing band for hats which is moisture-proof and non-absorbent; the pro vision of a size-reducing band so constructed that it may be more readily applied and secured in place within a hat than known forms of bands; to provide a band of 1naximum durability which will retain its cushioning and perspiration arresting qualities for a maximum length of time; and to provide a size-reducing band so constructed as to reduce the expense, time and labor in manufacturing the same to a minimum.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a hat showing the improved band in position therein;

Fig. 2 a perspective view of the band; and Fig. 3 a vertical sectional view of the band on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates hat having the usual sweatband and the usual ornamental ribbon or band 3. The size-reducing or fitting band comprises a strip of flexible and yieldable cushioning material preferably fibrous, such as felt paper of suitable thickness to possess the desired size-reducing and cushioning qualities. The strip of felt paper a is completely inclosed on both sides and both edges by a moisture-proof covering or envelop 5. The covering 5 is preferably formed of textile fabric such as cotton, linen or canvas and is preferably impregnated with rubber cement or ther moisture-proofing and adhesive material. The covering 5 is thus not only moisture proof but is also provided with adhesive material at both its inner and outer sides, whereby when the covering is folded about the felt paper strip it will adhere securely thereto and when the completed band is inserted between the sweat band and the hat body it will adhere also both to the sweat band and the hat body and will thus be securely held in place.

Vhile I prefer to employ a covering 5 formed of textile fabric impregnated with rubber cement, it will be obvious that various sheet meterials may be employed and that, if desired said materials may be waterproofed in various ways and may be coated on both sides or impregnated with any suit able adhesive material. I prefer to employ rubber cement owing to its waterproofing quality and also because it is rendered adhesive by heat and may therefore be readily handled in manufacturing the bands. Bands having coverings coated or impregnated with rubber cement or other material ren dered adhesive by heat may be readily handled and, when placed in a hat, the cement will be rendered adhesive by the body heat when the hat is worn and the band will become firmly cemented in place. The use of stitches in forming the band is avoided, and th use of prongs, staples, stitches, or other fastening devices for securing the band in place in a hat is also avoided.

The covering 5 is made moisture-proof by the rubber cement and the entire band is thus rendered non-absorbent and moistureproof. it will be seen therefore that perspiration cannot pass through the band to the hat body 1 and ribbon 3, and also that perspiration or moisture will not penetrate either the covering 5 or the felt paper cushioning strip or padding l. The durability and usefulness of the band are thus greatly increased since neither the covering nor cushioning material will be rotted by moisture or perspiration and, also, since the cushioning qualities of the felt paper strip will not be impaired by the absorption of moisture by the paper strip.

hat I claim is:

l. A size-reducer for hats comprising a strip of cushioning material having plies of flexible sheet material secured to opposite sides thereof by an adhesive material, said plies of sheet material being coated on their outer sides with a moisture-proofing material rendered adhesive by heat for securing cement rendered adhesive by heat for securing the fabric to the inner body of cushioning material and to a hat.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

. HARRY D. CURTIS. 

